Players’ union opposes law
Given a chance to take part in the 2011 All-Star game at Arizona, Ozzie Guillen insists he won’t go.
“I wouldn’t do it,” the Chicago White Sox manager said Friday. “As a Latin American, it’s natural that I have to support our own.”
Guillen joined a growing chorus of opposition to Arizona’s new law that empowers police to determine a person’s immigration status. The state hosts half of Major League Baseball’s clubs in spring training.
The MLB players’ union issued a statement condemning the law. A congressman whose district includes Yankee Stadium wrote a letter to baseball commissioner Bud Selig urging him to pull the All-Star game from Phoenix.
“It’s a bad thing,” said Baltimore shortstop Cesar Izturis, born in Venezuela. “Now they’re going to go after everybody, not just the people behind the wall. Now they’re going to come out on the street. What if you’re walking on the street with your family and kids? They’re going to go after you.”
More than one-quarter of big leaguers on opening-day rosters were born outside the 50 states, most of them from Hispanic descent.
“These international players are very much a part of our national pastime,” MLB union head Michael Weiner said. “Each of them must be ready to prove, at any time, his identity and the legality of his being in Arizona to any state or local official with suspicion of his immigration status.”
Weiner said that if the law is not repealed or modified, the union would consider “additional steps.”
“Now whether it would actually come down to that, I don’t know,” he said.
Cubs’ spring training home in jeopardy
The status of Mesa, Ariz., as the Chicago Cubs spring training home is in jeopardy now that the Arizona Legislature has adjourned without passing legislation needed to keep the team in the state.
An agreement between the team and Mesa officials allows the Cubs to negotiate with other cities if Arizona lawmakers don’t pass legislation by July 12. Lawmakers ended their session Thursday, and a special session is unlikely.
Clearing the bases
The Texas Rangers activated second baseman Ian Kinsler from the 15-day disabled list. He injured his right ankle during spring training. … The Philadelphia Phillies activated closer Brad Lidge from the disabled list, but lost reliever Ryan Madson to a self-inflicted injury. Madson went on the 15-day DL with a broken right toe, sustained when he kicked a chair after blowing a save Wednesday. … The Oakland Athletics placed catcher Kurt Suzuki on the 15-day DL with a strained muscle in his side. … The Minnesota Twins placed pitcher Nick Blackburn on the family medical emergency list. … Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker had successful heart surgery, a six-hour procedure that will keep him away for up to three months.